EU Naval Force Dutch frigate, HNLMS Van Speijk, has escorted a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel along the Somali coast to keep it safe from a potential pirate attack. The WFP ship was carrying food such as soya, cooking oil and flour from Mombasa in Kenya to the Somali port of Kismayo. The food wil
Earlier today the Chief of the German Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Andreas Krause, visited the EU Naval Force Operational Headquarters in Northwood, London. The visit was an opportunity for Vice Admiral Krause to be given an update on Operation Atalanta, the European Union’s counter-piracy operation of
Naval forces rescued more than 1,500 North African migrants over the weekend in the Strait of Sicily, according to the Italian Navy. The Portuguese Navy’s Offshore patrol vessel Viana do Castelo conducted its first rescue operations as part of the EU Operation Triton, which was launched on November
On Sunday 9 November the Spanish Ambassador to Oman, His Excellency Mr Juan José Urtasun, paid a visit to ESPS Navarra during her port visit to Muscat, Oman. Port visits such as this are an opportunity to resupply the Spanish warship with food and stores, and give the crew the opportunity to take so
On Saturday 15 November the EU Force Commander, Rear Admiral Guido Rando, visited the Serbian maritime protection team that is currently embarked in a World Food Programme (WFP) vessel. The protection team, known as an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment, or AVPD, is tasked, as part of the EU Na
Spanish Navy’s Meteoro class Offshore patrol vessel Rayo P42 waved goodbye to its Las Palmas Naval Base yesterday morning. The vessel started its journey to the Indian Ocean where it will participate in EU NAVFOR’s Operation Atalanta, joining a fight against piracy off the Horn of Africa. This is Ra
The Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Vice Admiral Evangelos Apostolakis, visited NATO Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) to enhance awareness of MARCOM activities and discuss topics of mutual interest with Commander NATO Allied Maritime Command, Vice Admiral Peter Hudson and the MARCOM staff. During the vi
Virtual Technology Changes Design of UK Navy Warships BAE Systems’ Engineers are overhauling their approach to the design and build of Royal Navy warships by using cutting edge virtual reality technology. US Navy’s EA-6B Prowler Retires As the sun sets on USS George H.W. Bush’s (CVN 77) current depl
On Monday 10th November, the EU Naval Force Flagship, ITS Andrea Doria, and the Chinese Flagship CNS Changbaishan met at sea in the Gulf of Aden. The Commander of Chinese Naval Escort Task Group 989, Rear Admiral Zhuang Chuanshu, and the Commanding Officer of CNS Changbaishan, Captain Deng Xianwu, t
Australian Defence is monitoring Russian naval vessels that are currently transiting through international waters to the north of Australia. In accordance with international law, Defence have been monitoring the Russian vessels. Defence regularly undertakes maritime surveillance patrols in the appro
On the 9th of November, EU Naval Force Warship HNLMS Van Speijk was honored by the visit of the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Lieutenant-General Rob Verkerk. The purpose of his visit was to meet his personnel in theatre and to achieve this the General came on board for an overnight stay.
EU Naval Force warship BNS Leopold I is now halfway through her deployment as part of EU Naval Force. Over the last two months, the warship has conducted counter-piracy operations across the Area of Operations. She has also conducted friendly approaches on more than 20 local dhows and skiffs. Recent
New software developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) is being tested in two maritime operational centres in Kenya and the Seychelles to help fight piracy and improve maritime security. The software provides a live picture of ship traffic activity, indicating current ship p
The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove, His Excellency Dr Christoph Müller, Ambassador of the Republic of Germany, and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, travelled to the Cocos (Keeling) Islands to commemorate the action between HMAS Sydney (I) and the G
